Ramadan is the most blessed of months, with all the details of life that make it so special. It is a season of renewal and purification of the soul—a handful of days when the spirit returns to its simplicity and homes regain their warmth.
Every year, I find myself remembering the bowl of firni my mother used to prepare. I would count the minutes until I came home from school, eager to sit near the kitchen and wait for the moment she poured it into the bowls. And because I loved it so much, I always made sure to eat the thick layer at the bottom—the firm, creamy part that I considered my own little treasure, one that I was not willing to share with anyone.
Even today, firni remains a familiar presence in Emirati homes, alongside jelly and custard. Yet it remains different, because it carries the flavor of memory before the flavor of artificial sweeteners.
The large pot of harees was never simply a vessel for cooking food. It was a symbol of bringing hearts together. It would be placed in the middle of the majlis, as though it were a meeting point around which the family gathered and neighbors came and went. The sound of spoons, the aroma of ghee, and the quiet anticipation leading up to iftar—all these details created the true meaning of sharing and togetherness.
As for Ramadan riddles and quizzes, they were my own little arena for competition. I would participate enthusiastically, test my knowledge, and try to beat my siblings to the answer. It was never merely a game; it was an exercise in thinking and an opportunity to create shared memories where laughter and challenge came together.
After the Taraweeh prayer came luqaimat—those hot, golden little bites drizzled with date syrup or honey, as though they were a reward at the end of a long day. We would sit together in the stillness of the night, conversations flowing without haste. Time seemed more spacious, and each moment felt deeper.
Ramadan holds a special place in our hearts. We do not know whether Ramadan itself gave these things their unique flavor, or whether the things we did together were what gave the month its meaning.
Perhaps the secret lies in both—the spirit of the month and the hearts that come together within it—turning the smallest details of everyday life into memories that never fade.